This will be the second and final phase of renovations for Stuart Hall, a residence hall built in 1964 that houses 632 students in 316 rooms.
The first phase, completed in summer 2009, included upgrades to air conditioning, windows, restrooms and central gathering areas, plus installation of new drywall, carpet, ceilings and lighting.
The total cost of the Stuart Hall project is $16 million, according to university officials. The project is financed through university funds and bonds.
UD is in the midst of a five-year, $42.5-million effort to renovate campus residence halls. The university already has completed a $20 million renovation of Marycrest Hall and nearly $6 million in renovations to the Virginia W. Kettering and Campus South residence facilities.
The goal is to “provide as comfortable and welcoming an environment as possible for our students,” said Leslie Groesbeck, director of planning and construction management.
On Friday, the trustees also approved the final phases of a project to update UD’s central mall, located between Kennedy Union and Marycrest Hall.
The project will increase green space, add walking paths and eliminate a parking lot. Plans also call for a terraced amphitheater and more than 100 new trees to provide shade.
“The goal is to update the mall so it doesn’t just feel like an empty lawn,” said Beth Keyes, assistant vice president for facilities. “We want it to be sculpted, intentional, like Central Park in New York City.”
The campus mall project will go out for bid with construction slated to begin in March. The board’s executive committee still has to give final approval on funds, officials said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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